Musings on politics, science, religion, music, and life.

September 05, 2009

The 50 Best Beatles Songs

I received in the mail today my Entertainment Weekly featuring my all-time favorite band The Beatles on the cover. This is in honor of the Rock Band Beatles edition set to hit stores next week (can't wait!). As part of the issue, EW lists its version of the Top 50 Beatles songs. Well, I love lists, and of course I disagree with EW's. They got a lot right, and a majority of the songs on my list are probably on the EW list (I didn't count). But EW says Here Comes the Sun is only the 48th best Beatles song. I've got it in the top 5. And EW's number one pick, A Hard Day's Night, is a joke. It comes in a respectable 13th on my list, but a far cry from the top spot. Here is my list:

A Day in the Life

Hey Jude

The Long and Winding Road

Penny Lane

Here Comes the Sun

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Eleanor Rigby

Norwegian Wood

Yesterday

Let it Be

Something

A Hard Day's Night

Blackbird

Across the Universe

Help

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

From Me to You

When I'm Sixty-Four

Revolution

Strawberry Fields Forever

I Am the Walrus

You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

Can't Buy Me Love

Day Tripper

Ticket to Ride

Eight Days a Week

Paperback Writer

Getting Better

Good Day Sunshine

I Feel Fine

I Saw Her Standing There

I'm Down

Lady Madonna

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Magical Mystery Tour

Ballad of John and Yoko

Back in the U.S.S.R.

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

We Can Work it Out

Michelle

All My Loving

Please Please Me

Love Me Do

Nowhere Man

Got to Get You into My Life

Yellow Submarine

Golden Slumbers

Carry that Weight

The End

I actually think the last three songs should be ranked higher, but when I play this mix in iTunes, I like to end with that phenomenal medley from Abbey Road. So, take that, EW! Readers may notice that my list is top-heavy with later Beatles tunes, and that I am partial to McCartney's songs. It is also a testament, though, the George Harrison's often underrated impact on the band that I've got three of his songs in the Top 12, and he didn't get writing credit for very many Beatles songs.

Comments

"Hard Day's Night" as #1? Not what I'd pick either.

My tastes are very similar to yours--when I asked myself what I'd pick as my favorite Beatles song, "A Day in the Life" was the first thing that came to mind. "Something" is the other serious contender. Like you, I'm also partial to McCartney and to the later Beatles albums, and I really like Harrison's work. I find it interesting that I love what Paul and George did as solo artists, but don't care a bit for John's solo work.

You know, there's not much here to quibble about. Personal preference, very personal, puts "You Never Give Me Your Money" high on the list, followed immedately by Golden Slumbers/et al medely. Just the "can't turn back now" bitter-sweetness and nothing beats that line from the mind of this Mormon apostate: "One sweet dream. Pick up the bags, get in the limosine. Soon we'll be away from here. Step on the gas and wipe that tear away."

I imagine if I were to make the list again without consulting this one, probably ten of the songs would be different. I look at the list and see some glaring omissions that I might include if I were to do it again. But then I think, what would I cut?

I wouldn't go so far as to say "complete shit," but I strongly agree with the post lamenting the lack of JL songs. Seriously - where's "Julia," "In My Life," "Dear Prudence," "Tomorrow Never Knows," etc.? Putting "When I'm Sixty-Four" above any of those shows an alarming lack of knowledge when it comes to the Beatles. You labeled this list the "Beatles Top 50 Songs," not "My Favorite 50 Beatles Songs." Using that criteria, you're not in the ballpark.

I thought I made it clear that this was MY list of Top 50 Beatles Songs as opposed to the Top 50 list that Entertainment Weekly published. Are you suggesting, Magic Kenny, that there is an objective list of the Top 50 Beatles songs available somewhere that does not implicate the subjective tastes of those who compiled the list? If you think "Julia" belongs among the Top 50 and you despise When I'm Sixty-Four, good for you. Make your own damn list.

I'm fascinated by music lists, as evidenced by my website (http://www.davesmusicdatabase.com) and Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/davesmusicdatabase). Sorry about the shameful advertisting, but I mention my pages as a courtesy to those who've posted comments in regards to the lists I post. I am constantly impressed with the maturity (for the most part) of people's responses to my posts. They may have differing opinions, but are able to recognize that theirs are personal opinions which are no better or worse than anyone elses. Kudos to those here who have posted their comments in that kind of spirit.

Also - Rolling Stone magazine is releasing a special issue Aug. 27 devoted to the top 100 Beatles songs. See you at the newstand!

I thought I made it clear that this was MY list of Top 50 Beatles Songs as opposed to the Top 50 list that Entertainment Weekly published. Are you suggesting, Magic Kenny, that there is an objective list of the Top 50 Beatles songs available somewhere that does not implicate the subjective tastes of those who compiled the list? If you think "Julia" belongs among the Top 50 and you despise When I'm Sixty-Four, good for you. Make your own damn list.